Pritchard secured a transfer to Birmingham City, another Championship team, in February 2024 after the Black Cats’ management made the audacious decision to let him leave the team.
He made just nine appearances before departing for Turkey, despite the fact that many would have expected him to play a significant part in the team’s season.
Alex Pritchard was a key figure in Sunderland’s side
Pritchard was always a very talented player, but because of his injury problems, he never quite reached the level that was anticipated of him.
After making his debut at Tottenham Hotspur, the midfield player played for a number of different teams before signing a free move to Sunderland in the summer of 2021.
It became clear after Pritchard established himself with the team that he had no business playing in the third division of English football. The former Huddersfield Town player played a key role in the Wearsiders’ midfield center and easily opened up spaces for the team’s strikers.
Pritchard contributed significantly to Sunderland’s promotion and maintained his strong play in the Championship, tallying a solid four goals and six assists in the 2022–2023 campaign season.
Unfortunately, the following season did not go to plan for the Black Cats and after Tony Mowbray was sacked in December, rumours started circulating that Pritchard was set to leave the club.
Indeed, the rumours were true and Pritchard left the Stadium of Light to sign for Birmingham for an undisclosed fee and reunited with former boss Mowbray, who had recently taken the reins.
Pritchard’s Birmingham stint was underwhelming
Birmingham’s slide down the Championship table was already in motion when Pritchard signed for the club, but he was a player capable of halting the club’s descent.
The 31-year-old’s debut did not go to plan, with the midfielder playing the first half of the West Midlands derby against West Bromwich Albion before being withdrawn for Jordan James.
Pritchard then endured a spell on the sidelines before making numerous substitute appearances, but his spell at the club was always stop start in nature.
By the time the midfielder had returned from injury, Mowbray had already temporarily stepped down as manager for medical reasons to add to the club’s woes.
The midfielder’s only contribution was an assist in the Blues’ 1-1 draw with Hull City in March, as Pritchard failed to replicate the fine form he had once shown at the Stadium of Light.
Pritchard only appeared in Birmingham’s victory over Norwich City on the last day of the season, and he made a brief appearance at the conclusion of the game, lasting five minutes.
After an unimpressive stint at St Andrew’s that will not be remembered for long, Pritchard left the club in the summer to join Turkish team Sivasspor.
Despite playing for some of the most prestigious clubs in England, Pritchard left his stamp on the game, but his time there ended badly.
Supporters of Sunderland and Birmingham will have different opinions on the midfield player, but at age 31, his English football career may not be finished yet.
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